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Bills MLB Preston Brown has been getting all the first-team reps at minicamp.

It's not a surprise after Reggie Ragland sat out team drills at OTAs. The Bills plan to play their three best linebackers, and could move Ragland to the strong side. Brown has started 46-of-48 games since entering the league in 2014. Jun 14 - 6:06 PM

Brown is a 6-foot-1, 251-pound banger who isn't particularly good at banging. New coach Sean McDermott prefers athleticism at the linebacker position. Reggie Ragland doesn't quite fit the mold, either, but he will start over Brown at Mike linebacker this season. Brown is going to have to play special teams. May 8 - 3:30 PM

Since being drafted No. 73 overall in 2014, Brown has appeared in all 48 games, making 46 starts. He was ex-coach Rex Ryan's signal-caller as a 3-4 inside linebacker, and Ryan long praised Brown, saying he believed Brown was "going to be a star." Well, Brown has never really been a playmaker, with just one career sack, three picks, and two forced fumbles. With new coach Sean McDermott shifting to a 4-3 and Reggie Ragland expected to be the middle linebacker, Brown doesn't have a starting spot. He has one year left on his rookie deal. Mar 29 - 2:17 PM

Bills assistant head coach Rob Ryan believes ILB Preston Brown is "going to be a star."

"He’s a vocal guy, he’s extremely smart, he knows the defense, he knows the inns and outs now," Rob said. "So he’s really gonna grow in this system." Head coach Rex Ryan agrees with his brother. "Everything that we’ve challenged him with, he’s accepted the challenge. ... I think Preston’s going to have a great year." Brown had a promising rookie campaign in 2014 before getting dominated last year. Either way, he's going to be the Bills' signal caller on defense. Thu, Jun 16, 2016 08:14:00 PM

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Brown is a 6-foot-1, 251-pound banger who isn't particularly good at banging. New coach Sean McDermott prefers athleticism at the linebacker position. Reggie Ragland doesn't quite fit the mold, either, but he will start over Brown at Mike linebacker this season. Brown is going to have to play special teams.

Since being drafted No. 73 overall in 2014, Brown has appeared in all 48 games, making 46 starts. He was ex-coach Rex Ryan's signal-caller as a 3-4 inside linebacker, and Ryan long praised Brown, saying he believed Brown was "going to be a star." Well, Brown has never really been a playmaker, with just one career sack, three picks, and two forced fumbles. With new coach Sean McDermott shifting to a 4-3 and Reggie Ragland expected to be the middle linebacker, Brown doesn't have a starting spot. He has one year left on his rookie deal.

Bills assistant head coach Rob Ryan believes ILB Preston Brown is "going to be a star."

"He’s a vocal guy, he’s extremely smart, he knows the defense, he knows the inns and outs now," Rob said. "So he’s really gonna grow in this system." Head coach Rex Ryan agrees with his brother. "Everything that we’ve challenged him with, he’s accepted the challenge. ... I think Preston’s going to have a great year." Brown had a promising rookie campaign in 2014 before getting dominated last year. Either way, he's going to be the Bills' signal caller on defense.

Bills coach Rex Ryan said ILB Preston Brown will continue to be the main signal caller on defense.

Second-round pick Reggie Ragland has been calling the plays at rookie minicamp this week. As Buffalo is transitioning to a 3-4 defense, Brown will start next to Ragland in base sets. The Bills struggled in Ryan's "half-pregnant" defense last year. Rex has pledged to get the unit "fully pregnant" in year two.

"With Rex, we've already installed, like, 50 plays," Brown said. "A whole bunch of simpler plays, though. Our checks are limited. There's not as many as there were." The Bills struggled throughout last season to get the correct defensive packages on the field and the correct checks made at the line. Simplifying the process should allow Buffalo's talented defenders to play more quickly and more aggressively. Brown is expected to "quarterback" the defense this season.

"I think if everything stays the same then Preston has to be more vocal," Ryan said. "It's not good enough to just know your job. You've got to be the quarterback back there. And he can do it. I expect Preston to take that step and he needs to." Brown reportedly "had some missteps" running the defense last year, with Manny Lawson taking over late in the season. The Bills expect Brown to take more ownership in his second year in Rex’s scheme.

Bills MLB Preston Brown called out the defensive coaching staff for late personnel changes and slow play calling.

"I don't know who that guy is [in booth], but it's been an issue with personnel coming in and out," Brown said. "[Other teams] run people in and off because they know we're having issues with that upstairs in the box." Other Bills have noted this problem in the last several weeks, and Buffalo has had trouble setting up at the line all season. Rex Ryan's job is likely safe, but there are changes coming to the defensive coaching staff this offseason.

Bills MLB Preston Brown has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 3.

The second-year man out of Louisville picked off two Ryan Tannehill passes and returned one for a touchdown. Manning the middle of coach Rex Ryan's defense, Brown has played all but nine snaps through three games. He's proven to be above average both in coverage and as a run defender.

It's high praise from Marrone, as Alonso finished second to only Sheldon Richardson for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Brown is expected to start in place of Nigel Bradham this week. He should see regular time in sub packages when Bradham returns.

A pre-camp report stated Brown would be in the hunt to replace WLB Kiko Alonso (ACL), but Mike 'backer is his natural position. He figures to take over there in 2015, when Spikes hit free agency. Nigel Bradham is getting the first crack at Alonso's weak-side job, with Keith Rivers stationed on the strong side.

Sources tell the Buffalo News that the Bills are looking to third-round LB Preston Brown to replace WLB Kiko Alonso.

"[Keith] Rivers and [Nigel] Bradham are not who the Bills think can help the most," writes Tim Graham. Brown, the 73rd pick in May's draft, ran with the first-team nickel defense during the spring alongside Alonso, and coaches "raved behind the scenes" about how well he practiced. Brown is between 250-260 pounds and runs a 4.86 forty. He's a downhill, thumping, tackle machine.

Bills rookie LB Preston Brown will push for a role in nickel packages this season.

The Bills drafted Brown to be their future MIKE, but he's not going to start over Brandon Spikes in base sets. Spikes doesn't play sub-packages, so Brown, Ty Powell, and Keith Rivers are candidates for nickel snaps opposite Kiko Alonso. Brown could eventually be used in a three-down role with Spikes on a one-year deal. DC Jim Schwartz called Brown a "really good young player" who has "done a nice job" at OTAs.

Brown has been getting work in nickel packages, suggesting the Bills view him eventually capable of a three-down role. With Manny Lawson moving to end, Brown could compete with Keith Rivers and Ty Powell on the strong side, but is best suited for the MIKE spot. With Brandon Spikes on a one-year deal, Brown could be Buffalo's middle linebacker of the future.

Brown is a run-stuffer in the mold of current Bills MLB Brandon Spikes that lacks the athleticism to be an effective three-down player. Brown will likely contribute on special teams as a rookie before taking over for Spikes in 2015. The Bills view Brown as capable of playing all three linebacker spots, so he could start out on the strong-side as a rookie.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said the team is "hopeful" Jordan Matthews (chest) will return "sooner than later."

Matthews is dealing with a chip fracture in his sternum which will sideline him at least through this week and likely more. It sounds like the Bills expect him back for Week 1, but the missed time is a big concern as he attempts to settle in with his new team. With uncertainty surrounding Matthews, Zay Jones looks like a good flier in the 12th round.

Bills WR Rod Streater was carted off with a left leg injury in Buffalo's second preseason game.

While catching a pass in the fourth quarter Streater twisted his leg and was unable to make it off the field under his own power. He had two catches for 40 yards until that point. Streater was drawing rave reviews early in camp.

Bills LT Cordy Glenn received an injection in his troublesome foot this week.

Glenn has been struggling with the foot for months, but the Bills hope the injection will "knock out" the soreness. Glenn is labeled week to week, with coach Sean McDermott saying he is "hopeful" the left tackle will be ready for Week 1. With Seantrel Henderson suspended, the Bills will be in real trouble if Glenn is forced to miss games, which seems like a real possibility at this point.

It's the former starter's second substance-abuse suspension of the season. Henderson said he smokes marijuana for pain relief from his Crohn's disease. Cyrus Kouandjio will finish out the year as Buffalo's swing tackle. Henderson is signed for $690,000 next season. Any time a player earns a 10-game substance-abuse ban, their career is in doubt. 24-year-old Henderson will not be eligible to return until Week 6 of next season.